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lathika mohanraj

Lathika Mohanraj, Ph.D., RN, BMTCN

Pronouns: she/her

Assistant Professor

(804) 628-7552

Box 980567, Richmond, VA 23298-0567

Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Nursing), Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Pathology), Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Ph.D. (Biochemistry-Molecular Biology and Genetics), Virginia Commonwealth University        
  • M.Sc. (Biochemistry), University of Mumbai
  • B.Sc. (Microbiology and Biochemistry), University of Mumbai
  • B.S. (Nursing), Virginia Commonwealth University

Research/Scholarship Interests

Mohanraj’s doctoral training in biochemistry and molecular biology along with clinical expertise in nursing led to her current research interests in biobehavioral sciences. Her research focuses on understanding acute and late effects of transplant affecting survivorship in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. She is keen in understanding the link between clinical and biological determinants that contribute to the overall quality of life in cell therapy patients. Her research involves identifying molecular biomarkers and mechanisms (e.g., epigenetics) that aid early detection and ongoing surveillance of patients at risk for poor outcomes after treatment, bearing in mind the challenges encountered in its clinical application.

Area of Current Clinical Practice

Mohanraj maintains clinical practice as a Certified Registered Nurse in the Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program at VCU Health and is a member of the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Teaching

Mohanraj teaches courses in both undergraduate and graduate (masters and doctoral) programs. She teaches topics related to pathophysiology, pharmacology and quantitative research methods. Her approach to teaching is to kindle interest and promote critical thinking among students. Her goal is to help students bridge the gap between didactic learning and their application in a clinical setting. She advises and mentors Ph.D. students as well as undergraduate research interns.

Select Publications

  • Mohanraj, L., Kolonich, J., Naz, F., Abouassali, S., deBruler, I., & Kinser, P, (2023). Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients Are Skilled at Adapting to “Out of the Ordinary” Situations: A Qualitative Study. Seminars in Oncology Nursing (Vol. 39, No. 4, p. 151465). WB Saunders. PMID: 37353359
  • Shah, L.L., Chung, J., Diallo, A., Mohanraj, L., Sargent, L., Ameringer, S., Brown, L., Jallo, N., Pretzer-Aboff, I., Robins, J., Swift-Scanlan, T., Jones, T., Parsons, P., Salisbury, A., & Kinser, P. (2023). Challenges and opportunities faced by nurse scientists in integrating data and technology in research to promote health. Nursing Outlook, 71(3), 1-3 PMID: 36963372
  • Mohanraj, L., Wolf, H., Silvey, S., Liu, J., Toor, A., Swift-Scanlan, T. DNA Methylation Changes in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients. Biological Research for Nursing. (2023) 25(2):310-325. PMID: 36321693
  • Knight, JM., Taylor, M., Rentscher, KE., Henley, EC., Uttley, HA., Nelson, AM., Turcotte, LM., McAndrew, NS., Amonoo, HL., Mohanraj, L., Kelly, DL., & Costanzo, ES. (2022) Biobehavioral Implications of Covid-19 for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Recipients. Frontiers in Immunology. PMID: 35865530
  • McAndrew, NS., Strong, Y., Morris, KJ., Sannes, TS., Pirl, WF., Cole, S., Mohanraj, L., Knight JM. (2022) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients and psycho-oncology providers: Perspectives, observations, and experiences of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) membership. Psycho-Oncology. PMID: 35102653

View full publication list

Current Funded Grants

Name of Grant Role Funding Agency Period
Investigation of Psychosocial Biomarkers and Transplant Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients PI American Cancer Society 9/23 - 8/24
Investigating Frailty Associated Epigenetic Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia PI Sarah Farrell Intramural Grant Program 9/23 - 8/24
Investigating Frailty Associated Epigenetic Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia PI CCTR Endowment Fund 4/23 - 10/24

Professional Service

Mohanraj serves on the board of International Society for Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) and is the past-president of the Oncology Nursing Society, Richmond Chapter. She is an active member of American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS). She is also a member of the Nursing and Health Professions Protocol Review and Oversight Committee at VCU Health.

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